My why
What motivated me to become a coach? It all started quite a while ago…
Who is coaching for?
Is coaching for you?
Probably.
If you want space to think, learn and grow, then coaching might be just what you need…
🪜to stretch yourself
🏋️to develop your skills
🎬to step into a new role
🕸️or navigate this one
🤝to be a team that is more than the sum of the parts
🦢and to lead with authenticity and grace
Are you ready?
Are you ready for September? 🫥
For some of us it feels like the start of a new show – the end of the summer, moving up in school…
But that\’s not the case for everyone (even those of us living through the same seasons together).
This reminds me of how little we know about what\’s going on for our people and how what we do as leaders might land.
Getting organised
I’ve developed a whole load techniques over the years to make sure I get things done, but I decided there was room for improvement.
How could I get to place where my brain was free for thinking, instead of managing to-do lists?
A few reflections here on changing habits, with or without new stationary.
Blurred Vision
Can work make you sick?
Sixteen years ago I found myself in A&E. My vision was blurred. I couldn’t focus or control my eye movements.
What followed changed my life and my approach to leadership forever. It was frightening and hard and still takes effort every day, but I think it was one of the best things that ever happened to me.
I\’m sharing this now, not to scare you into taking a break, but to ask what more we could all achieve if we all took care of ourselves too?
🎂I’m 3!🥳
In June 2021 I left my job to set up on my own. 😳
Here are a few reflections on the learning so far:
🪂Start broad: investigate all your options
🫂Don\’t go it alone: build and find networks to support you
🎮You decide: don\’t worry about doing things wrong, chart your own course
🌱Make space for growth: others might see things in you that you don\’t see yourself, and
❤️🔥Be audacious and brave: repeat after me, I am someone who can do this
If you\’re about to do something that\’s going to be scary and take courage, then this one\’s for you.
When the pressure’s on
We had two hours to go until the announcement and something went wrong.
The pressure had already been intense since the election and now it felt like we had failed.
Some of us thrive on this sort of pressure, but how do we make sure it doesn\’t take its toll?
Some suggestions here on leading yourself and your team through intense times:
🗣️Talk about what\’s coming, what you can do to build resilience and how you will know who needs support and when.
⛔Don\’t throw out the baby with the bathwater – even if some of your usual boundaries get broken, set new ones and be held accountable.
🔬Step out of the drama and keep things in perspective. You will live to fight another day.
⌛Be careful not to stay in perpetual overdrive. Make sure it ends and don\’t equate being under pressure with being worthwhile.
What works for you?
Spot the difference
I feel a bit nervous about sharing this.
Because I might be wrong.
But I\’ve decided to take my own medicine, and start with courage, not confidence.
So, is leadership in the public sector that different to elsewhere?
I share some reflections here on the differences I\’ve experienced:
🌍 The scope and scale of the things you\’re responsible for
🎬 The peculiar drama of leading within a political system
🤔 The complexity of the problems you\’re trying to solve
🥇 And the struggle to prioritise when you need to serve everyone
I would love to hear your thoughts, experiences and challenges on this 🙏.
Leading for impact
Delivery is hard. Especially when it comes to making a difference to the lives of others.
🤔 Best practice doesn’t always translate from one context to another
😑 Legislation and guidance is rarely enough to change behaviour
😥 And that\’s before you even get to those who would rather talk about problems than solutions
So how can we Lead for Impact?
A few thoughts here from my experience and from the coaching conversations I have with leaders who are striving to do just that.
Top take-away? Find spaces to share your uncertainties and mistakes.
